India Eyes $100 Billion Textile Exports By 2030, Focus Shifts To Sustainability And FTAs

India is sharpening its export ambitions for the textile sector, with the government working on a roadmap to raise textile and apparel exports to $100 billion by 2030.

The target was a key focus at a two-day textile summit that concluded on Wednesday, where policymakers, exporters and industry representatives discussed the steps needed to strengthen India's position in global markets.

A recurring theme throughout the discussions was sustainability, which is increasingly influencing sourcing decisions across major international markets.

Sustainability Takes Centre Stage

Industry stakeholders said future export growth would depend not only on production capacity but also on meeting evolving environmental and compliance requirements.

Among the suggestions discussed were the adoption of digital product passports, development of textile recycling infrastructure and simpler compliance frameworks for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Participants noted that global buyers are placing greater emphasis on traceability, responsible sourcing and recycling practices, making sustainability a competitive necessity rather than a voluntary initiative.

Government Calls For Action Beyond Policy Discussions

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh said the next phase of growth would depend on how effectively policies are implemented on the ground.

According to the minister, greater attention is needed for value addition, choosing the right product-market mix and ensuring compliance with environmental standards that increasingly shape international trade.

Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao said recommendations gathered from states, districts, export promotion councils and industry participants would be incorporated into a broader National Textile Export Roadmap.

The objective is to convert the ideas emerging from consultations into a structured strategy for long-term export growth.

FTAs, MMF And MSMEs In Focus

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal highlighted the opportunities available through India's free trade agreements and urged exporters to make fuller use of improved market access.

He also encouraged states to participate more actively in the revived District as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative, which aims to build export ecosystems at the local level.

Discussions during the summit also pointed to the need for greater product diversification and stronger participation in man-made fibre (MMF) segments, which continue to gain share in global textile demand.

Industry representatives stressed the importance of developing in-house design capabilities, adapting to changing consumer preferences, and creating globally competitive "Champion MSMEs" capable of scaling exports.

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Months Of Groundwork Before The Summit

The event was not put together overnight.

Before arriving at the summit, the ministry spent months gathering feedback from stakeholders across the country. Officials held consultations in all 36 States and Union Territories, along with nearly 200 discussions at the district level.

More than 5,000 participants took part in the exercise, ranging from exporters and manufacturers to academic institutions and financial organisations.

Sources:

The Economic Times

DD India